USA: Amid cheers and a few protests, for the first time, hundreds of gay couples marry in New York City

Record ID: 278439

  • Title: USA: Amid cheers and a few protests, for the first time, hundreds of gay couples marry in New York City
  • Date: 25th July 2011
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JULY 24, 2011) (REUTERS) SIEGEL AND KOPELOV COMING OUT OF BUILDING AND CROWD SCREAMING "CONGRATULATIONS" (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHYLLIS SIEGEL, NEWLYWED, SAYING "It was just so amazing. It's the only way I can describe it. I lost my breath and a few tears, and it's indescribable." SIEGEL HOLDING WEDDING CERTIFICATE SIEGEL AND KOPELOV
  • Embargoed: 9th August 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3J3WJJ1DY5E8EKR0HYVTLRO4U
  • Story Text: Wedding fever hit New York on Sunday (July 24), as hundreds of gay and lesbian couples lined up to be married on the first day that same-sex marriage was legal in the state.
    In New York City, couples, their families, and friends formed a line around the block to be married at the Manhattan marriage bureau. As they waited in sweltering heat, many of the couples passed the time singing and getting to know one another.
    Inside the government building, Freddy Zambrano and Marcos Chaljub and Phyllis Siegel and Connie Kopelov were among the first gay couples to marry.
    As freshly married couples emerged from the building, crowds of supporters congratulated them and asked that they brandish their marriage certificates.
    Siegel, 76 and Kopelov, 84, have been a couple for 23 years. Kopelov, left the government building in a wheelchair.
    "It was just so amazing. It's the only way I can describe it. I lost my breath and a few tears, and it's indescribable," said Siegel before showing off her marriage certificate and embracing Kopelov.
    "My students are all supportive, and as Daniel said, to them it's not a big issue. They are just surprised sometimes that people like us can't get married, and now we can, so that's very exciting," said Nevin Cohen, 48, after marrying his partner of 13 years Daniel Hernandez, 53. Cohen is a college professor. Hernandez is a real estate planner.
    Newlyweds Carol Anastasio and Miriam Brown said they await the day when all gay people across the United States can marry.
    "It's a joke that it's not nationwide. I mean, come on, it's just ridiculous. When we say the 'Pledge of Allegiance' and they say everyone is equal. We're not, in the United States. We're not, so when that happens then we'll really have a day to celebrate and then I can say the 'Pledge of Allegiance' with true pride," said Anastasio.
    New York is the sixth and largest U.S. state to allow gay marriage, following Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia. Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois and New Jersey have approved gay civil unions, and gay marriage is specifically banned in 39 states.
    Civil liberties activists say New York's legalization of same-sex marriage sends a message to the U.S. Congress that it must repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
    The Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law in 1996 by Democratic President Bill Clinton. U.S. President Barack Obama has said he would support a bill meant to repeal the law.
    The law prohibits same-sex couples from receiving marriage-based federal benefits such as Social Security survivor benefits, health benefits and the right to file taxes jointly.
    Officials estimate legalizing gay marriage would add some $400 million (USD) to New York's strained economy over the next three years.
    After spending more than 30 years together, Michael Roberts, 82, married Michael Johnson, 55. After the ceremony, Roberts said today's weddings mean equal rights for gays are gaining momentum.
    "It means that it's a step along the road. It means that history is going really fast. When we met, this day was unthinkable. The language didn't exist to explain it," said Roberts.
    Douglas Robinson, 60, and Michael Elsasser, 56, said they were particularly happy because their two adopted sons, Zachary and Justin, were there to support them as they got married.
    "This society has said for many years that our family is not a family and yet today it was an affirmation from the government saying 'yes, we are a family', said Robinson.
    In addition to cheers from supporters, there were also jeers, as a few protesters from the controversial Westboro Baptist Church held signs condemning gay marriage.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register